SUSPENDED Munster flanker Alan Quinlan will know his fate on Wednesday after the appeal against his six-week ban imposed by the European Rugby Cup Ltd is heard in Dublin.

The appeal by the Munster player Alan Quinlan against his six-week suspension for stamping will be heard in Dublin on Wednesday, January 3.

England World Cup winner Mark Regan was tonight fined £500 (€726.40) for bringing the game into disrepute.

The organisers of the Heineken Cup are to consider a review of their disciplinary and citing procedures after Munster's Marcus Horan was found innocent of making racist comments in a game against Neath Swansea Ospreys on October 31.

Munster prop Marcus Horan has been exonerated and vindicated in the tit-for-tat citing exchange that followed the Heineken Cup meeting of Munster and Neath-Swansea Ospreys at The Gnoll last Sunday week.

Former England and Lions wing Peter Jackson has died at the age of 74.

Neil Back was today hailed for his contribution to England following his decision to retire from international rugby at the end of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

The English Rugby Football Union will appoint an independent inquiry to investigate claims of a conspiracy among Zurich Premiership clubs to prevent relegation from the top flight.

Players’ union chief Damian Hopley has called for a fully integrated disciplinary system to ensure his members’ interests are taken into account at future hearings.

England rugby captain Martin Johnson’s appeal against a 21-day ban for punching Saracens hooker Robbie Russell during the Zurich Premiership encounter at Vicarage Road on February 9 was thrown out at Twickenham

Martin Johnson's Rugby Football Union appeal hearing got under way on the stroke of 10am but the England captain was not in attendance.

Martin Johnson is free to play for England in Saturday's Six Nations clash against France in Paris.

England captain Martin Johnson has been hit with a three-week ban following his punch on Saracens hooker Robbie Russell.

England face the prospect of being without their captain Martin Johnson for next month’s crucial Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship clash against France in Paris.

Saracens assistant coach Tim Wright has added his voice to the chorus of criticism condemning England captain Martin Johnson’s punch on Scotland international Robbie Russell.

English rugby's disciplinary chiefs are set to assemble a team to launch a full inquiry into racism allegations that have rocked the game.

Olivier Azam and Epi Taione have paid the price for their violent clash at Kingsholm last month.